Meeting with reporters on Friday, Feb. 15, Vikings general manager Rick Spielman said the team has "no intent" of trading disgruntled wideout Percy Harvin.

But when asked if that meant he won't trade Harvin, Spielman responded, "Again, I'm going to tell you this -- there is 'no intent' to trade Percy Harvin. He is a very good football player. I'm not going to talk about any contractual issues because those are kept internal."

Spielman is an honorable guy, and he addressed the question about the only way a person in his position could, considering Harvin's shaky status.

But Harvin's erratic behavior, coupled with his propensity for injury, makes him almost a sure bet to be traded. That's assuming, of course, the Vikings can get a worthwhile return.

It's unlikely the Vikings could get a first-round draft pick for Harvin, unless maverick coach Pete Carroll, whose Seattle Seahawks finished 11-5, can convince multibillionaire owner Paul Allen that Harvin could take them to the Super Bowl. Seattle has the No. 25 overall pick and the No. 26 pick in the second round of April's draft.

New England, which has the No. 29 overall pick, would seem an outside possibility with unpredictable Bill Belichick as coach. Belichick, remember, signed Harvin's pal Randy Moss in 2007, and with Tom Brady at QB, he might feel he could satisfy Harvin.

Best bet, though, for a trading partner for the Vikings for Harvin might still be Jacksonville, which has the first pick in the second round (No.

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33 overall).

Harvin, who starred at Florida, could sell tickets for the Jaguars, who finished 2-14 last season and have had trouble selling tickets.

Miami is another possible trade partner for Harvin. The Dolphins have the No. 11 and No. 24 picks in the second round, and the Vikings would seem to prefer trading him to an AFC team rather than an NFC team.

Lastly, San Francisco has Nos. 31 in the first two rounds of the draft and 14 total picks, including four in the first three rounds. The 49ers, because they are a veteran team, aren't expected to keep all those picks because most probably wouldn't make their team. So they could offer the Vikings a handful of picks for Harvin.

The most realistic offer the Vikings could expect for Harvin might be a second-rounder and a fourth-rounder, or something in that range. And any team trading for Harvin would be expected to sign him to a new contract rather than allow him to hold out.

It seems unlikely that the Vikings, considering Harvin's unreliability, will give him the kind of contract he's seeking. And if other teams try to lowball the Vikings in a trade, and the Vikings therefore are forced the keep him, it wouldn't be surprising if the enigmatic 24-year-old simply holds out most of next season.

Harvin, who is under contract for $2.9 million next season, could play out his five-year deal by agreeing to play in just the last six games after sitting out the first 10. The NFL requires that players be on a team for at least six games in a season to get credit for that year.

If Harvin were to sit out the entire 2013 season, he couldn't become a free agent in 2014, as his current contract allows, because he wouldn't have been on the team for at least six games. The Vikings could then retain his rights for one more year. By holding out, though, then returning, Harvin not only would lose his salary on a pro-rated basis but also face substantial fines.

Still, it would be financially advantageous to Harvin to hold out unless he gets a new contract. That way, he would avoid the risk of injury.

The Vikings also could designate Harvin as a franchise player after next season, which would require paying him $10.4 million for 2014. But that's unlikely because he seems sure to be traded.

Henry, who is averaging 21 points and 10 rebounds and has a 3.5 grade-point average, said it would be fun to play with Wally at Minnesota but that he's still wide open as far as college considerations. Marquette, Georgetown, Boston College and Baylor also have offered tenders.

Tubby Smith, whose Gophers (18-7) play at Iowa (16-9) on Sunday afternoon, is 8-3 in his career against the Hawkeyes.

Jack Jablonski, who was paralyzed in 2011 after being checked from behind while playing hockey for Benilde-St. Margaret's and whose recovery has been inspired by Viking Adrian Peterson's incredible knee rehabilitation, will be featured by NBC Sports on Sunday as part of its "Hockey Day in America" coverage.

After exhaustive research, local author Rick Shefchik has determined that St. Paul's Town & Country Club, which this year is celebrating its 125th anniversary, is the 17th-oldest U.S. golf club that has played continuously on its original site. The oldest club is the Dorset Field Club in Dorset, Vt., established in 1886.

DON'T PRINT THAT

When the NFL's new labor agreement began in 2011, all first-round draft picks were to receive four-year contracts. But each team has a one-time-only option after a player's third year to add a fifth year to the contract, which would include a substantial amount of guaranteed money. If that extra year isn't added, a player can play out the fourth year of his contract and become a free agent.

That's why the coming season is critical for Vikings QB Christian Ponder, whose long-term future with the team will be evaluated after his third year.

If Ponder doesn't have a good season, it wouldn't be in the Vikings' interest to add the fifth year to his contract. At that juncture, the Vikings would be expected to bring in another QB or at least competition for Ponder.

Best high school boys basketball team in the state, by far, is DeLaSalle, according to Mr. Basketball Minnesota Chairman Ken Lien.

It'll be interesting how the ice holds up for the Gophers-Wisconsin men's hockey game Sunday after the earlier game that day between Notre Dame and Miami (Ohio) outside at Soldier Field in Chicago.

To make the outdoor ice, about 20,000 gallons of water were required, plus 400 gallons of paint. The rink will be NHL-size, and about 4,000 gallons of coolant fluid is required to keep it at the right temperature.

The Gophers-Badgers game, telecast by the Big Ten Network, will be directed by Alexander Ramsey High grad Patrick O'Connor and use 15 cameras.

Deephaven's Tim Herron has a new endorsement deal with Bloomington software company KeyedIn Solutions and will wear its logo on the side of his visor. Herron's agent, sister Alissa Herron Super, is working with Minnesota-based Cambria on another deal.

Bloomington Jefferson grad Brian Dutcher, son of former Gophers men's basketball coach Jim Dutcher, will succeed San Diego State coach Steve Fisher when Fisher has had enough. Fisher turns 68 next month. The Aztecs were 18-6 heading into a game Saturday against Nevada-Las Vegas.

Gross injustice: Former Gophers coach Bill Fitch, who achieved 944 NBA victories and twice was named NBA coach of the year, being overlooked for the Basketball Hall of Fame.

OVERHEARD

Michael Beasley of the Phoenix Suns, on playing defense when he was with the Timberwolves, in the Arizona Republic: "We won 15 games. Nobody did it."